These gold dentures from the Ancient Etruscan culture seemed to have been popular on the northern portion of the Italian Peninsula from the late eighth through the mid sixth centuries. Even though extant Etruscan writings are limited to inscriptions, archaeological evidence suggests that they were worn to show off the wearer’s elite status, and those who owned them might have intentionally had healthy teeth pulled – a practice called “evulsion” (archaeologists know this because the missing teeth are frequently incisors -usually not ones that decay first). The gold bands would have flashed during mealtimes – Etruscan aristocrats flaunted their status in many ways at elaborate banquets. Some historians have speculated that these golden dental pontics were most popular among women. The practice eventually grew out of fashion and was not carried into the Ancient Roman era.
Source(s): _ancientanatomies_ “Etruscan Dentures;” John Hall “Etruscan Women,” 2018, _Ancient Magazine_.
